Writing a Research Paper In this activity, you will prepare a 1,000- to 1,250-word research paper presenting scientific arguments about the current genetic diversity of the koalas, and how these trends will likely affect koalas in the future. Your claims should be supported by scientifically complete evidence.

Follow the steps below and the links provided throughout the activity to help you complete your research and planning. This guide about the research process provides an overview of the steps you should take.

Part A
The first stage in writing your paper is to make a list of questions that will enable you to research the topic. Your paper should answer these questions:

What is the current genetic diversity of koalas?
How will this genetic diversity affect their long-term survival?
How many koalas currently exist in the wild?
How has the geographic range of koalas changed over time?
What do koalas need to survive (food, shelter, etc.)?
What adaptations do koalas have?
How do koalas reproduce?
How often do koalas mate, and how many offspring do they produce?
How do the reproductive habits of koalas affect their genetic diversity?
What factors should scientists consider when creating a plan to conserve the species?
Write down two additional questions you have about koalas that will help support your argument.
Part B
When writing a research paper, look for the most credible sources. Science doesn’t show bias, but we humans tend to show bias. There are sites and articles that provide facts without proper scientific evidence. Avoid using information from such sites. You must be able to identify reliable sites so the data in your paper is credible.

Use sources that end in .gov (government sites), such as CDC. gov. They are reliable sources. You can also use sites ending in .edu. They can be deemed trustworthy, but sometimes the information is written by students rather than scientists. Always find out who the author of the article is before proceeding. Some .org and .com sites are credible, but you need to analyze the contents to verify their authenticity. As you review a source, always try to answer these questions:

Who authored the article?
Is this person an expert in genetic diversity or koalas?
What is the purpose of the article?
Does the article state facts that scientists can prove with evidence?
Are there opinions in the article?
How old is the article?
Do other credible sources support the statements in the article?
Part C
In a separate location, take notes from the sources you have identified. The notes will provide details for your paper. While taking notes, you may want to use these reading strategies. Write down two pieces of information that you intend to use in your paper in the space provided.
Part D
Create an outline to organize your paper. Write the outline for your paper in the space provided. You can organize your paper any way you think is best. It’s a good idea to follow these guidelines for writing a five-paragraph essay. Be sure to account for the claim you’re making in your introduction, and include a works cited page at the end.

Remember, you’re just structuring your paper now. You’re not writing the paper yet.
Part E
Using your materials from this task, write your research paper. Its length should be 1,000 to 1,250 words. Be sure to proofread and revise your writing to catch any errors in logic, organization, or grammar and spelling. Include a works cited page at the end to give credit to your sources. Submit your completed paper along with this activity.